Giannoulias To Kirk: 'You're Trying To Suppress The African-American Vote'

[Joanne98]

Tonight's debate between the candidates for Senate in Illinois featured long discussions of the issues and controversies that have dogged both candidates during the entire campaign -- and also touched on some of the hot political issues of the day, including campaign spending and the federal budget. Often, the candidates went right from answering a question to attacking the other.

But in the most controversial moment of the evening, the candidates argued over recent charges that the Rep. Mark Kirk (R) was working to suppress African-American turnout.

A moderator asked Kirk if the "voter integrity" program Kirk was recently recorded discussing was aimed at African-Americans. Kirk said it was not, adding that his efforts were concerned with the corruption in the state of Illinois. He said he welcomed having one Republican and one Democratic poll watcher at each voting location. He also cited as evidence a recent voter fraud conviction in Metro East, presumably the case of an East St. Louis Democratic precinct committeeman and former member of the city council.

"We have a corruption problem in our state," Kirk said. "We've become a punchline on late night television."

But Democrat Alexi Giannoulias countered that the program was targeting African Americans, because "there has never been an accusation of fraud on the West or South side of Chicago."

"You're trying to suppress the African American vote," Giannoulias said.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/giannoulias-to-kirk-youre-trying-to-suppress-the-african-american-vote.php

[elleng]

1. Good to hear this!

Such was discussed, as repug strategy since after Goldwater, on Rachel show, with Melissa Harris-PERRY! (New Name, new hairdo, BRILLIANT as ever!)

[quinnox]

2. I watched some of this debate, it was lively

both of them were throwing some good punches, I'd say it was a pretty close debate.

[Gabi Hayes]

3. that lying POE is my congressman. the only good thing that's going to happen is

that he won't be anymore.

the bad thing is that, in the entire area that I regularly traverse (about 200 square miles) I haven't seen ONE single sign for Giannoulias (sp?). not one. not a whole lot of Kirk signs, but NONE for him, NONE for Quinn (gov), and NONE for Dan Seals, the dem who Mr. Liar narrowly beat last time

very depressing